Apparatus for backing electrotype-shells.



Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

lNvENToR Jl/ZTS @Gull/@(19.

ArroRn/EY NNw J. F` GOUNLEY.

APFLICATIGN FILED DElH 8.1913.

APPARATUS FOR BACKNG ELECTROTYPE SHELLS.

WITNESSES 1. F. GUUNLEY.

APPARATUS FOR BACKiNG ELECTRUTYPE SHELLS.

APPLicATmN man usc. 1913.

1,219,289. Patented Mam. 'S, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR Jmffgowiz/eg, fyww By @MAW A Tromvsv J. F. GOUNLEY.

PPARATUS FOR BACKING ELECTROTYPE SHELLS.

APPucATmN FILED nec. |913.

1,21 9,289. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- INVENTOR R) Jmeumey awdl'fvssszs I BY A-rronfvsv J. F. GUUNLEY.

APPARMUS FOR BAcKlNG ELEcmorYPsswims.

APPLICATIGN FiLED DEC. 8. i913,

1,219,289. Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET L la g8 a 25%150 f ZO A,

A. C n l in g! j; 2z 57 i@ 40 IN VEN TOR JmeSFVQH/z/g,

BY /Wmf fwn UNITED s'rAfrEs PATENT oEEieE.

JAMES F. GOUNLEY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR. BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE RAPID ELECTROTYPE COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO,

A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

APPARATUS FOR. BACKING ELECTROTYPE-SHELLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed Mar. 13, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Janes F. GoUNLEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State ot' Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Backing Electrotype-Shells, whereotl the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention particularly relates to apparatus-for backing electrotype shells, and to the method of employing the same, and is especially directed to the art ot making plates for printing purposes.

The object ot this invention1 is to provide an apparatus having a rotatable support or table for carryii'xg the electrotype molds in a circular path and. successively presenting them into operative registration with heating means and into adjacent relation with a melting pot and into operative registration with carrying means. Other objects of my invention are lo provide an apparatus for backing electrotype shells which is compact; to provide an apparatus which is-easy to operate; and to provide an apparatus which may be substantially continuously operated. My invention also comprehends the method ot backing electrotype molds which consists in placing an electrotype shell t'aee downward in a mold or pan, placing a suitable flux on the back of said shell, dry heating said mold or pan and shell to melt the flux. pouring molten metal in said pan over the back of said shell and then cooling said molten metal.

This invention also includes all the various novel features ot' construction and arrangement hereinafter more delinitely specilied.

In the accompanying drawings, liigure l is a plan view ot an apparatus constructed i1 accordance with this invention; Fig. Q is substantially a side elevational view, a small part ol the apparatus, however, being shown in section` tor the purpose of clearly illustrating the construction; Fig. 3 is a perspective view ot the four forms which go to make up the table of the apparatus, said toi-ins being slightly separated each from the other in order to illustrate the shape ot each torni and the manner in which they are assembled in securing the same to the support hy means ot' which they are rotated; and Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views, partly diagrammatic, taken on the lines 4--1- and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 1 and showing the four operations to which the clectrotype or shell is subjected in its treatment in the apparatus above described, and also illustratingl what is being accomplished in each ot' the tour pans simultaneously.

ln the drawings the same reterelu'e numerals are used throughout the various views to designate the saine parts. The apparatus consists ot' a` pedestal or upright support l upon the side of which are journal boxes and 3, each respectively bolted to said pedestal as indicated in Fig. In said journal boxes is journaled a vertical shaft l supported upon a stepped bearing 5 in said journal box 3, said stepped bearing being vertically adjustable b v means ot the adjusting screw 6.

The upper end of said shaft l is provided with a collar 7, having at its top a flange S to which is secured the table 9.

The table il consists of four substantially rectangular frames 10 ot' cast iron or other suitable metal and each is provided with an inwardly extendingr flange 1l, the to i surface of which is below the plane ot the top surface of the frame proper. The four trames l() tit together closely, as shown in F ig. l. to form a continuous substantiallyrotatable square table arranged to support or contain tour pans l2, referred to again below. (lne olf the short sides ot each ot' the trames l0 is extended beyond the border of one of the adjacent long sides ot' the trame to form a projection or tongue 13 which is provided with two holes 14 through which bolts 15 are arranged to pass for the purpose of securing these four trames rigidly to the flange 8 of the collar 7 These projections i3 are substantially as long as they are wide, so that when the said frames are arranged closely together', the end ot cach tongue abuts against the side of the tongue of the adjacent frame. That corner 16 of each of the tongues which are nearest together at the center of the table when the trames l() are assembled is preferably beveled or otherwise cut oil, to allow a large holt 17 to pass between said frames, said boil being screwed in the upper end of the Shaft i, and said bolt is preferably provided with a large head or washer 18, which overlies the corner of each traine, said bolt aeting as an additional means of rigidly securing the trainee l0 to the shaft -L and collar i.

That side ot: each frame which is provided with the extension 13 is also preferably provided with a narrow llange or tongue 1'.) throughout its length.y the height of the llangl'e being substantially one half ot the thickness oi' the frame l), and the lower side of Said flange 19 being preferably in the plane of the undersurl'aee of the traine 10. That long side of each olf the frames l() which is adjacent the tongue or projection 13 of each frame is also preferably provided with a narrow llange or tongue 20 extending up to the projection 123 of that frame, Said flange 20 being also in width equal to substantiall)1 one halt' of the thickness ot the inain or body portion ol the frame and the uppeside el" eaid llange L() being substantially in the plane olf the top surface olf the traine. lYhcn the iiran'ies are (blois-ely assembled and fitted together in the manner shown in Fig. l. the liange l?) of one traine` will serve as a support upon which the lang'e 2U of the adjacent traine rests. These llanges 19a1id 2U. are clearly illustrated in llg. 3. That short Side of each of the` trainee which ie provided with the projection 123. is also provided with a longitudinal rib 2l, preferably highest at the end of the tongue or projection and gradually deer 1.asingr in height throughout its length, as ia clearly shown in Fig. 3, for the purpose ol stilte-ning the traine at the point of its attachment to the flange and for positioning the molds on the frame.

lu the four corners or' the flange 1l of each lraine. are preferably provided threaded holes 22 for the reception of pan or uiold supporting' screws 23 which may be adjusted to extend upwardly above the surt'acc or' (he flange ll and preferably above the plane ol' the upper surface of each traine` as shown in Fig'. and locked in such position by mean:-` of locking nuts ill. The pans 1; are arranged to be supported on the tops et the adjusting' supportingr screws 23 and are preferably provided with handles 25 by means` of which the pans may be lifted from or placed upon the table. Preferably located closely adjacent the rotatable table 9, is a nieltinf;V pot 2. from which molten metal niay be dipped by the operator and poured into the pans 12 as required. I preferably arrange on that side of the apparatus adjacent Said melting pot Q6, a Stop and locking mechanism, whereby the table, after having been rotated through a quadrant. ma v be locked in that position until it is desired to impart to it a further rotative niovenient as will be further described. Said locking nieehanisni comprises two locking dogs or lingers ifi'. radially secured to a shaft which is journaled in suitable brackets 2). Secured to a lever 3l) also radially secured to said shaft :'38 and also attached to a iixed lug 81, is a spring 3:. tending' to swing said doggr about its pivot and to hold the locking linger oit said dog in its uppermost position. [intending from said lever 3U downwardly, is preferably arranged a` stili' connectingv rod Sill, pivoted at one end to a foot lever 3l, the opposite end of which foot lever is provided with a pedal 2li. Said foot lever 3i. may be pivoled in any suitable brac t li, as clearly indicated in l-`igs. l and :5. i hen the foot olthe operator is olf the pedal 35. the spriiug` 3:5 will hold the locking dogs up against the adjacent side ol'I the table ll.

The toolV lever El is preferably arranged in a position with respect to the table moet convenient to the operator, and, therefore, the side ol' the apparatus where the operator ia located during the manipulation ol' the apparatue heretofore desrribed will be hereafter termed l'or convenienee7 the iront side ol' the apparatus and the Vl'ront side ot the table is Substantially in alinenicnt with the Vfront side oli the melting' pot.

Arranged to comprise subatantially one quadrant oi the table ll and prete ably below that lraine which Iforms the lett hand side of the table looking' from the front of the apparatus is a heater. Any heater may be eniploved for the purpose of heating that pan which at any particular tinie is directly over and in registration with the heater. but in practice, I prefer to use i gas heating' apparatus Siinila r to that shown in Figs. l and For that purpose7 l preferably provide a sheet nietal chainber 53T ol' snibslantially the saine size and shape as one of the rectangular frames l0 forming;r the table il and eupported in any suitable nianner upon a franie work S8 indicated in Fig. Thia` pan or chamber 3T is preferably provided with perforations 539 through which air may be adinitted to said chamber and extending lengthwise ot' the chamber are gas burners i() ol1 any approved type. said burners beiner shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being controlled by a valve or cock l1.

Arranged in any suitable position and location with respect to the pedestal l. ia a power driven fan lf2 to which is connected a pipe 43 terminatingl in branches l-l. l5 and 4G, leaid branches having their ends directed upwardly and terminating at a short dietance below the table ll. These branches -l-l. l5 and 4G are preferably arranged so as to be in registration with the center oi the three 'ranicfs l0 which are not in registration with the chamber 3T of the heater. Said branches 44, -l and 4F, may Cach b@ loo ll Il provided with a damper or valve 47 by means of which the amount ot air allowed to pass through that branch may be controlled and regulated.

Thus by the above arrangement, one frame 10 and the parts or articles supported or mounted thereon may be heated to any de` sired degree by the burners l0, while simultaneously, the other three 'frames ll) are being cooled by a blast ot' air directed against the same by the branches l l, if), and JAS and the table is held in such position as long as is desired by the engagement oi' the dogs QT with the side of the table.

The operation of the apparatus above de scribed is as follows:

The gas burners l() being lighted, a mold or pan 1Q is placed upon the supporting screws and in a position that the bottoni of the said pan 12 will be raised a little above the top of the table to allow for egress troni under the table and under the pan ot the gases of combustion. An electrotype or shell i8 is then placed within the pan tare down- Ward, as illustrated in the pan shown at the left of Fig. 4, said shell i8 having applied to its back or upper side a suitable metallic linx. The heating is continued until the pan or mold l2 and the eleetrotype or shell 4S is heated suilieiently to melt the tlux on the back of it, whereupon the operator presses the pedal 35 to throw the dogs 2T downwardly clear of the bottom of the table and then gives the table a quarter turn. This brings the pan which was before located to the left of Fig. l over the discharge end of the branch pipe 44, and air passing through the pipe 44 begins to cool the mold and contents. Of course, the pan and mold are previously heated to a relativelyY high temperature and the air passing through the branch 44: acts at first slowly on the pan and its contents. After having been brought to this position, the operator immediately pours molten metal 49 over the back of the electrotype and filling the mold therewith as indieated in the pan to the right hand side of Fig. 4. Meanwhile the operator places another clectrotype or shell 48 having its back provided with a suitable linx in the empty pan now over the burners 40. Ot' course, the constant discharge oi air through the branch pipe 44 against the bottom of the pan which now contains the eleetrotype or shell covered with molten metal, begins to cool the saine and this continues until the pan and shell over the burners l0 is heated sutlieiently. The operator then again presses on the pedal 35 and gives the table the next quarter turn. This brings the shell which was previously heated directly over the branch pipe 44 and the operator immediately fills that mold with molten metal 49, placing a third pan with a third electrotype or shell with flux on the back over that portion oi the table in registration with the burners. was last filled with molten. metal by the operator has, however, been moved over the branch pipe 45 and the air from the tan continues to be discharged against the boltom ot the pan Yfurther cooling it. )it this point then, one eleetrotype or shell is being heated, a second is being cooled over the branch pipe il, while the third being still further cooled over the branch pipe 45.

The operator then again presses the pedal 35, giving the table the third quarter turn. This operation brings the electrotype last heated in position over the branch pipe lle` whereupon the operator fills that mold as heretofore described, :ritter which he places the fourth pan on the table over the burners With tho electrotype or shell lying on the bottom of it as heretofore described. This fourth shell h ated as were the three previous shells before described. At this` point then, one eleetrotype or shell is being heated. the second has just? been filled ivith molten metal and is being cooled over the brauch pipe 44, the third is being cooled over the branch pipe 45, whiler the fourth or lrst elm-- trotype or shell described is being eooled suilieientl)Y over the branch pipe lll to permit of the removal of the pan or mold i'rom thi` table and ot' the backed cleetrotype from the mold or pan. By the time that the fourth shell or electrotype has been suil'ieiently hea t ed, the pan which was then over the branch pipo 4G will be cooled sufficiently to permit of its removal from the table and a new pan containing an eleetrotype or shell having linx on the back is substituted therefor. gen erally speaking, by a second operator.

From this time on then. the operation is continuous. The first operator will heat the elcetrotype or shell in the mold or pan'at the lett ot the front ot the table and lills the mold or pan which is nearest the melting pot as soon as the table is swung to bring the heated electrotype or plate over the branch pipe 44. An operator on the back side ot the machine will remove the pan from over the branch pipe 4G and remove the backed eli-etrotype from that pan, replacing it with an empty pan or mold ready to be brought upon the next quarter turn of the table into registration With the burners ll).

The operation of the mechanism is continuous and it may be substantially operated just as fast as the operator at the front of the machine can keep that mold which is on the front oi the machine nearest the melting pot filled with molten material and place in the pan or mold to the lett ot the machine a new eleetrotype provided with iiux on its back on thc bottom of the empty mold over the burners. The amount of air which is allowed to pass through the pipes 44, 45. and 46 may be regulated and controlled by the dampers 47 to bring the tem The pan which peinture ol' the backed eleetrotype over the branch pipe iii down to a temperature which uili permit of its handling.

)ly improfed method of backing electrotype shells` involves a number ot steps, the pertes-unnamof which is coua-iiderably facilitated hy the use ol the apparatus above described. The irst steps iu the process are tu clean the electrotype and then place upon Yhe baci; oi it a suitable metallic flux, such, tor instance. as tin toil. Alter this has been done, the operator puts the electrotype shell, with the ilus; on the bach o it, in the mold with the face et the electrotype resting against the botti-1n ot the mold. The mold and the electrotype contained therein are then dry heated to a degree su'tiicient to melt the Flux on the bach of the electrotype. lly dry heating is meant the heating of the electrotype by the combustion of gas or other suitable tuel, as distinguished Vtrom heating tlul same by liquid or Huid medium. such as molten metal. After the niolil and elcctrotype therein have been healed to the desired degree, molten metal is then p-uued in the mold that the stream ot' metal falls upon the back ot the shell. ily introducing the molten metal in this manner. the thin electrotype shell Will bc lirmly held down upon the bottom ot the mold during the filling oi the mold by reason ot the molten metal falling upon it. lt the metal were to be introduced in any other manner, the shell would tend to iioat on the surface et the molten metal unless held down by extraneous means, and the very purpose ot the above described treatment of the shell would be defeated.

As soon as the mold has been filled with molten metal, the same subjected to a coolingr process whereby the molten metal is changed from the fluid to the solid state. As a matter of fact., this cooling treatment is preferably continued after the metal has solidified or until the backed electrotype is cool enough to permit of its being handled or removed from the mold and finished. The dry heating is preferably effected by heating the mold with the electrotype therein over a. gas burner, such as is shown in the apparatus described and the cooling of the mold and of the backed electrotype formed therein is preferably effected by successively bringing the mold and its contents over the discharge end of air blast pipes, such as have been previously described in connection with the apparatus illustrated in the drawings ot this application. This process ot backing electrotype shells is also included in and Jforms a part ot' this description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. ln an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination with heating means, of cooling means substantially eircula rly disposed with respect to each other, and series with said heating means, molds i'er casting said backing, and a rotatable table for said molds, arranged to be intermittently rotated to present the respective iuole'ls into operative relation with the heating means and with the cooling means.

ln an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination with a rotatable table, stationary heating means disposed beneath a portion of said table, a plurality ot cooling means suitably spaced under said table and disposed in a substantially circular path in series with said heating means, and molds supported on said table, said table having openings registerable with said heating and cooling means over which said molds are supported, the rotation of said table operating to successively bring said molds into operative relation over said heating and cooling means.

3. ln an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination with a. table provided with a plurality oi spaced apertures disposed in a substantially circular path, otI heating means under said table and in registration With one of said apertures, pipes for conveying a cooling medium in registration with the other of said apertures, and molds for casting the backing of said shells removably engaged in said openings, said table being intermittently rotatable to successively present said molds into operative relation with the heating and cooling means.

4. In an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination with a rotatable table, of heating means mounted beneath. said table, a pipe for supplying air having branches discharging upwardly under said table, and molds for casting said backing, said table comprising a plurality of rectangular rotatable frames, one end of each frame lying along the side of the adjacent frame, the rotation of said table operating to successively bring said molds into operative relation with said heating means and over the ends of said branches.

5. In an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination of a rotatable table provided With four apertures, a mold mounted over each aperture in said table, heating means beneath substantially one quarter of said table, three cooling means, one under each ot the three remaining quarters of said table, means to hold said table locked from rotation With respect to said heating and cooling means, said heatmg and cooling means each being under a different quarter of said table and directly under a different mold, a melting pot adjacent one side of said table When in locked position, and means to release said lockingmeans to permit of the rotation of said table through substantially one quarter of :i complete revolution.

(i. In an apparatus 'for backing electrotype shells, a heater, a rotatable table over said heater, a mold supported on said table over said heater, and cooling means also under said table operative to cool that portion of the table above said cooling means, the movement of said table from a position in which said mold is over said heater. through a quarter revolution being operative to bring said mold over the iirst of said cooling means and adjacent said melting pot; the rotation of said table through a Second quarter revolution being operative to bring said mold over a second cooling means; the rotation of said table through a third quarter of a revolution being operative to bring said mold over a third of said cooling means and the rotation of said tabie through a fourth quarter of its revolution or back to its original position, being operative to bring said mold over said heater.

7. In an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination of a table comprising four rectangular frames each i'rame being provided with a square extension projecting from a corner of a long side thereot' and forming an extension of the short side thereof, said iour frames being iitted together with the short side ot' one Ytrame abutting against the long side of the adjacent frame and the end ot the said projection on one frame abutting against the side ot' the similar projection of the adjacent frame, said frames so assembled forming a square table With tour rectangular openings therein, and a vertical rotatable shaft to which said frames are firmly secured.

8. In an apparatus for backing an electrotype shell, the combination of a table comprising four substantially rectangular frames, the short side of each frame being extended outwardlyT from the long side of said frame to form a square projectiomsaid extended short side ot each frame abutting against the long side ol the adjacent frame and the end of the square projection on each frame abutting against the side of the projection of the adjacent traine, the said short extended side of each frame being provided with a supporting ledge, and the long sid(` of each frame terminating in said projection being provided with an overhanging ledge whereby the long side of each frame rests upon and is supported by the ledge projecting from the adjacent short side oi' the adjacent 'liranna and a rotatable vertical shaft and bolts passing through said square projections ilor rigidly securing said frames to said shaft.

9. In an apparatus for hacking electrotype shells, a table comprised oi" tour :Frames` each frame being rectangular in shape and having a square extension projecting outwardly i'roui an end olE a long side thereol'` the said long` side ol' said i'rznne which terminates in said square extension, being provided with an overhanging flange.y and the short side of Said frame which terminates in the said square extension being provided with a supporting llange, said short extended side of each i'rame being provided with a longitudinal rib or ledge.

l0. 1n an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination of a meltingpot adapted to contain molten backing metal, i. mold adapted to receive an electro-type shell to be backed and a support ior this mold upon which it is moved into position alongside the melting pot to receive the backing metal therefrom and whereby it is held stationary in such position until the required quantity ot backing metal has been received by the mold.

ll. In an apparatus for backing electrotype shells, the combination of a melting pot adapted to contain molten backing metal, a mold adapted to receive an electro-type shell to be backed and a support for this mold upon which it is moved into position adjacent to and above the melting pot to receive the backing metal therefrom and whereby it is held stationarv in such position until the required quantity o'l backing metal has been received by the mold.

vlin witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this lith day of December, 1913.

JAMES F. (lrOUNLEY.

Witnesses Kari-ni urn n BUTZ, ALs'roN B. MoULToN.

Copla! of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. C. 

